Princess Anne and Family

Princess Anne's special role as King Charles opens Parliament for the first time in his reign

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8th November 2023
As King Charles opened Parliament for the first time under his reign, his sister, The Princess Royal exercised a special role – that of ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting.’ Embed from Getty Images The role is that of a ceremonial bodyguard to the sovereign and is considered an honour. As the King and Queen Camilla left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Princess Anne…
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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen soldiers on through State Opening despite apparent cold

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14th October 2019
The Queen has given her speech at the State Opening of Parliament despite appearing to have the remnants of a heavy cold. The Monarch looked to be breathing more rapidly and heavily as she took her place on the Throne in the House of Lords at the start of the ceremony and was heard to cough before the speech began. Elizabeth II, who is now 93, set out her government’s plans for the coming…
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Queen Elizabeth II

Why isn't there a State Opening of Parliament this year?

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8th May 2018
May and June tend to be busy times for Her Majesty The Queen, June, especially with the Trooping of the Colour, Garter Ceremony and Royal Ascot in quick succession, and this year, has the added complication of her Grandson getting married in May as well. But, something is missing from the usual itinerary – the State Opening of Parliament, this is the occasion when Queen Elizabeth attends the…
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Palaces & Buildings

Buckingham Palace could host State Opening of Parliament

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12th September 2016
In light of a new MP report, it is possible that the State Opening of Parliament could be moved to Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace for the duration of any major renovations to the Palace of Westminster. In the recently released 119-page document it was concluded that the historic site of parliament faces ‘an impending crisis which we cannot responsibly ignore’. It went on to say that…
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